Guides - Getting to Taal Volcano

Editor's Note: 
   Taal Volcano is an island within Taal Lake which sits in a ancient caldera. Located in Batangas Province, it's about 2 hours by bus going south from Manila. The jump-off point in Talisay. It's suitable for day trips and overnighters. 

Submitted 14-Nov-97 to RP-Outdoors Mailing List by William Villanueva (wav@cyber.org.ph): 

   Get a bus going towards Batangas or Lipa. Get off at Tanauan. Ask for the jeep terminal going to Talisay. The jeep's end point in Talisay is near the lakeshore talipapa (wet market). This is where you get a banca (motorized outrigger boat) ride to Volcano Island. Hire a banca if you're in a big group ... costs about P1000 to 1500 depending on size. If you're solo, get there early and wait for trekkers or tourists going there and hitch a banca ride. 

There are 3 landing points: 
 1. Phivolcs Station ( rim trekking-long trek ! ) 
 2. Fishing village near the old crater ( 1 to 2 hours to old crater ) 
 3. Tourists landing wharf near the new crater ( 1 to 2 hours trek to new crater, then 2-3 hours to old crater ) 

   Advice: you should be with somebody who's been there. There are many footpaths leading to several interesting places ... there's a big possibility a beginner can get lost. Maraming sanga-sanga ang trail. Guides are available in Talisay. 

Very important: 
Leave Manila before 6 a.m. because of traffic. You should be at Talisay before 9 a.m. The waves at Taal lake are treacherously HUGE after 10 a.m. If you're unlucky, wala talagang biyahe ang banca (boats won't be making trips). 

Campsites: 

  • Old crater, at the lakeshore inside the crater!
  • Camp grounds near the tourist landing wharf.
Other links on this site: 

Take me back to Bundok's  Guides Page